Iamstrong，sayyou，andthereforeIamatyrant，sayyou。Nowtomethissequenceisfaulty。"
　　"Whoshouldastrongmanusestrengthfor，ifnotforhimself？
　　Andifforhimself，whythatspellstyranny。Youwillgetallyourheart’sdesires，mylord，andyouwillforgetthatmanyathousandofthecommonpeoplewillhavetopayforthem。"
　　"Andthisisallyouraccusation？"
　　"Itseemstobeblackenough。Iamonethathasacompassionformyfellow—men，mylord，andbecauseofthatcompassionyouseemewhatIamto—day。Therewasatime，notlongpassed，whenI
　　sleptassoftandateasdaintyasanyinAtlantis。"
　　Ismiled。"Yourspeechtoldmethatmuchfromthefirst。"
　　"ThenIwouldIhadcastthespeechoff，too，ifthatisalsoaliveryofthetyrant’sclass。ButItellyouIsawalltheoppressionmyselffromtheoppressor’sside。IwashighinPhorenice’sfavourthen。"
　　"That，too，iseasyofcredence。Ylgaisthefan—girltotheEmpressnow，andsecondladyinthekingdom，andthosewhohaveseenYlgacouldmakeaneasyguessattheparentageofNais。"
　　"Wewerethedaughtersofonebirth;butIdonotcountwitheitherZaemonorYlganow。YlgaisthecreatureofPhorenice，andPhorenicewouldhaveallthepeopleofAtlantisslavesandinchains，sothatshemightcrushthemtheeasier。AndasforZaemon，heisnofriendofPhorenice’s;hefightswithbrainandsoultodragtheoldauthoritytothoseontheSacredMountain;andthat，ifitcomedownonusagain，wouldonlybetheexchangeofoneformofslaveryforanother。"
　　"Itseemstomeyoubiteatallauthority。"
　　"Infact，"shesaidsimply，"Ido。Ihaveseentoomuchofit。"
　　"Andsoyouthinkaruleofno—rulewouldbebestforthecountry？"
　　"Youhaveputitplainlyinwordsforme。Thatismycreedto—day。Thatisthecreedofallthoseyonder，whositinthecampandbesiegethiscity。Andwenumberonourside，now，allinAtlantissavethoseinthecityandahandfulonthepriests’
　　Mountain。"
　　Ishookmyhead。"Acreedofdesperation，ifyoulike，Nais，but，believeme，asillycreed。Sincemanwasbornoutofthequakingsandthefeversofthisearth，andpickedhiswayamongstthecooler—places，hehasbeendependentalwaysonhisfellow—men。
　　Andwheretwoarecongregatedtogether，onemustbechief，andorderhowmattersaretobegoverned——atleast，Ispeakofmenwhohaveawishtobehigherthanthebeasts。HaveyoueversetfootinEurope？"
　　"No。"
　　"Ihave。YearsbackIsailedthere，gatheringslaves。WhatdidIsee？Acountrywithoutruleororder。Tyrantstheywere，tobesure，buttheywerethebeasts。Themenandthewomenweretherudestsavages，knowingnothingofthearts，dressinginskinsanduncleanness，harbouringincavesandthetree—tops。Thebeastsroamedaboutwheretheywould，andhuntedthemunchecked。"
　　"Still，theyfoughtyoufortheirliberty？"
　　"Neveronce。Theyknewhowdisastrouswastheirmasterlessfreedom。Eventotheirdull，savagebrainsitwasasurethingthatnoslaverycouldbeworse;andtothatstateyou，andyourfriends，andyourtheories，willreduceAtlantis，ifyougettheupperhand。But，then，toargueinacircle，youwillnevergetit。Fortoconquer，youmustsetupleaders，andonceyouhavesetthemup，youwillneverpullthemdownagain。"
　　"Aye，"shesaidwithasigh，"thereistruthinthatlast。"
　　Thetorchhadfilledthecaptain’sroomwitharesinoussmoke，buttheflamewasgrowingpale。Dawnwascomingingreylythroughaslenderarrow—slit，andwithiteverandagaintheglowfromsomemountainoutofsight，whichwasshootingforthspasmodicburstsoffire。Withitalsoweremutteringsofdistantfallingrocks，andsullentremblings，whichhadenduredallthenightthrough，andI
　　judgedthatearthwasinoneofherquakingmoods，andwouldprobablyduringtheforthcomingdayofferussomechasteningdiscomforts。
　　Onthisaccount，perhaps，mysenseswerestilledtocertainevidenceswhichwouldotherwisehavegivenmeasuspicion;andalso，thereisnodenyingthatmygeneralwakefulnesswassappedbyanothermatter。Thiswoman，Nais，interestedmevastlyoutofthecommon;themerepresenceofherseemedtowarmtheorgansofmyinterior;andwhilstshewasthere，allmythoughtsandsenseswerepresentintheroomofthecaptainofthegateinwhichwesat。
　　Butofasuddenthefloorofthechamberrockedandfellawaybeneathme，andinatumultofdust，andlitter，andbalesofthecaptain’splunder，Ifelldown（stillseatedontheflagstone）intoapitwhichhadbeendiggedbeneathit。Withtheviolenceofthedescent，andtheflutterofallthesearticlesaboutmyhead，Iwasinnoconditionforimmediateaction;andwhilstIwasstillhalf—stunnedbytheshock，andlongbeforeIcouldgetmyeyesintoserviceagain，Ihadbeenseized，andbound，andhalf—strangledwithanooseofhide。VoiceswereraisedthatIshouldbedespatchedatonceoutoftheway;butoneinauthoritycriedoutthat，killingmeatleisure，andasaprisoner，promisedmoregenteelsport;andsoIwasthrustdownonthefloor，whilstawholearmyofmentrodinovermetotheattack。
　　Whathadhappenedwascleartomenow，thoughIwaspowerlesstodoanythinginhindrance。Therebelswithmorecraftthananyonehadcreditedtothem，haddrivenagalleyfromtheircampundertheground，intendingsotomakeanentranceintotheheartofthecity。Intheirclumsyignorance，andhavingnooneofsufficienttalentinmensuration，theyhadbungledsadlybothindirectionandlength，andsohadendedtheirburrowunderthischamberofthecaptainofthegate。Thegreatflagstoneinitsfallhad，itappeared，crushedfourofthemtodeath，butthesewerelittlenoticedorlamented。Lifewastothemabaubleoftheslenderestprice，andahordeofotherspressedthroughtheopening，lustingforthefight，andreckingnothingoftheirrisksandperils。
　　Half—chokedbythefoulairofthegalley，andtroddenonbythisgreatprocessionoffeet，itwaslittleenoughIcoulddotohelpmyimmediateselfmuchlessthemoredistantcity。Butwhenthechiefmassoftheattackershadpassedthrough，andtherecameonlyhereandthereoneeagertotakehisshareatstormingthegate，acoupleoffellowspluckedmeupoutofthemudonthefloor，andbegandraggingmedownthroughthestinkingdarknessofthegalleytowardsthepitthatgaveitentrance。
　　Twentytimeswewerejostledbyothershasteningtotheattack，eitherfromhungerforfight，orfromappetiteforwhattheycouldsteal。Butwecametotheopenatlast，andhalf—suffocatedthoughIwas，Icontrivedtodoobeisance，andsayaloudtheprescribedprayertothemostHighGodsingratitudeforthefresh，sweetairwhichTheyhadprovided。
　　OurLordtheSunwasonthevergeofrisingforHisday，andallthingswereplainlyshown。Beforemewerethemonstrouswallsofthecapital，withtheheadsofitspyramidsandhigherbuildingsshowingabovethem。Andonthewalls，thesentrieswalkedcalmlytheirappointedpaces，ortookshelteragainstarrowsinthecasematesprovidedforthem。
　　Thedinoffightingwithinthegaterosehighintotheair，andtheheavyroaringofthecave—tigerstoldthattheytooweretakingtheirshareofthemelee。Butthemassivestoneworkofthewallshidalltheactualengagementfromourview，andwhichpartywasgettingtheupperhandwecouldnotevenguess。Butthesoundstoldhowtightafightwasbeinghammeredoutinthosenarrowboundaries，andmyveinstingledtobeoncemorebackattheoldtrade，andtobedoingmyshare。
　　Buttherewasnochivalryaboutthefellowswhoheldmebymybonds。Theythrustmeintoasmalltemplenearby，whichoncehadbeenafaneinmuchfavourwithtravellers，whowishedtoshowgratitudeforthesafejourneytothecapital，butwhichnowwasrobbedandruined，andtheyswungtothestoneentrancegateandbarredit，leavingmetocommunewithmyself。Presently，theytoldme，Ishouldbeputtodeathbytorments。Well，thisseemedtobethenewcustomofAtlantis，andIshouldhavetoendureitasbestIcould。TheHighGods，itappeared，hadnofurtheruseformyservicesinAtlantis，andIwasnotinthemoodthentobiteverymuchattheirdecision。WhatIhadseenofthecountrysincemyreturnhadnotenamouredmeverymuchwithitsnewconditions。
　　ThelittletempleinwhichIwasgaoledhadbeenrobbedanddespoiledofallitsfurnishments。Butthelight—slits，whereatcertainhoursofthedaytheraysofourLordtheSunhadfallenupontheimageoftheGod，beforethishadbeentakenaway，gavemevantageplacesfromwhichIcouldseeoverthecampoftheserebelbesiegers，andadrearyprospectitwas。Thepeopleseemedtohaveshuckedoffthecultureofcenturiesinasmanymonths，andtohavegonebackforthemostparttosheerbrutishness。Themajorityharbouredonthebareground。Fewownedshelter，andtheseweremerelybowersofmudandbranches。
　　Theyfoughtandquarrelledamongstthemselvesforfood，eatingtheirmeatraw，andtheirgrain（whentheyhadit）unground。ManywhopassedmyvisionIsawwereevengnawingthesoftinsideoftreebark。
　　Thedeadlaywheretheyfell。Thesickandthewoundedfoundnohandtotendthem。Greatman—eatingbirdshoveredaboutthecamporskulkedabout，heavywithgorging，amongstthehovels，andnoonehadpublicspiritenoughtogivethembattle。Thestinkoftheplaceroseuptoheavenasafoulincenseinvitingapestilence。Therewasnoorder，notraceofstrongcommandanywhere。Withthreehundredwell—disciplinedtroopsitseemedtomethatIcouldhavesentthosepoordesperatehordesflyinginpanictotheforest。
　　However，therewasnoverylengthyspaceoftimegrantedmeforthinkingoutthepolicyofthismattertoanygreatdepth。Theattackonthegatehadbeendeliveredwithsuddenness;therepulsewasnotslow。Ofwhatdesperatefightingtookplaceinthegalleries，andinthecircusbetweenthetwosetsofgates，thedetailwillneverbetoldinfull。
　　Atthefirstalarmthegreatcave—tigersweresetloose，andtheseragedimpartiallyagainstkeeperandfoe。Ofthosethatwentinthroughthetunnel，notoneintenreturned，andtherewerefewofthesebutwhatcarriedabloodywound。Some，withtherulingpassionstillstronginthem，borebackplunder;onetrailedalongwithhimtheheadofthecaptainofthegate;andamongstthemtheydraggedouttwoofthewarderswhowerewounded，andwhomrevengehadurgedthemtotakeasprisoners。
　　Overthesetwolastahubbubnowarose，thatseemedlikelytoboiloverintoblows。Everyvoiceshoutedoutforthemwhathethoughtthemostrepulsivefate。Somewereforburning，someforskinning，someforimpaling，someforotherthings:myfleshcreptasIheardtheirravenousyells。Thosethathadbeentothetroubleofmakingthemcaptivewerestillbreathlessfromthefight，andwerereadilythrustaside;anditseemedtomethatthepoorwretcheswouldbehustledintodeathbeforeanydefinitefatewasagreedupon，whichallwouldpassassufficientlyterrific。
　　NeverhadIseensuchadisorderlytumult，neversuchaleaderlessmob。But，asalwayshashappened，andalwayswill，thestrongermenbydintofloudervoicesandmorevigorousshouldersgottheirplansagreedtoatlast，andtheothersperforcehadtogiveway。
　　Abandofthemsetoffrunning，andpresentlyreturnedatsnails’pace，draggingwiththem（withmanysquealsfromungreasedwheels）oneofthosehugewarengineswithwhichbesiegersarewonttothrowgreatstonesandothermissilesintothecitiestheysitdownagainst。Theyranitupjustbeyondbowshotofthewalls，andclampeditfirmlydownwithstakesandropestotheearth。Thensettingtheirleanarmstothewindlasses，theydrewbackthegreattreewhichformedthespringtillitstetheringplacereachedtheground，andinthecradleatitsheadtheyplacedoneoftheprisoners，boundhelplessly，sothathecouldnotthrowhimselfovertheside。
　　Thentherude，savage，skin—cladmobstoodback，andonewhohadappointedhimselfengineerknockedbackthecatchthatheldthegreatspringinplace。
　　Withawhirandatwangtheelasticwoodflungupwards，andtheboundmanwasshotawayfromitstipwiththespeedofalightningflash。Hesangthroughtheair，spinningoverandoverwithinconceivablerapidity，andthegreatcrowdofrebelsheldtheirbreathinsilenceastheywatched。Hepassedhighabovethecitywall，atinymannikininthedistancenow，andthenthetrajectoryofhisflightbegantolower。Thespikeofanew—builtpyramidlayinthepathofhisterrificflight，andhestruckitwithathudwhosesoundfloatedouttousafterwards，andthenhetoppleddownoutofoursight，leavingaredstainonthewhitenessofthestoneashefell。
　　Witharoarthecrowdacknowledgedthesuccessoftheirdevice，andbellowedoutinsultstoPhorenice，andinsultstotheGods:apoorfranticcrowdtheyshowedthemselves。Andthenwithraveningshouts，theyfellupontheothercaptivewarder，bindinghimalsointoacompacthelplessmissile，andmeanwhilegettingtheengineingearagainforanothershot。
　　ButformypartIsawnothingofthisdisgustingscene。I
　　heardtheboltgratestealthilyagainstthedoorofthelittletempleinwhichIwasimprisoned，andwasmindedtogivethesebrutishrebelssomewhatofasurprise。Ihadridmyselfofmybondshandilyenough;Ihadrubbedmylimbstothatperfectsupplenesswhichisalwaysdesirablebeforeafight;andIhadplannedtorushoutsosoonasthedoorwasswung，andkillthosethatcamefirstwithfistblowsonthebrowandchin。
　　Theyhadnotsuspectedmyname，itwasclear，formystatureandgarbwerenothingoutoftheordinary;butifmybodilystrengthandfightingpowerhadbeensufficienttoraisemetoavice—royaltylikethatofYucatan，andletmeendurealiveinthatgovernmentthroughouttwentyhard—battlingyears，why，itwaslikelythatthisrabbleofsavageswouldseesomethingthatwasnewandadmirableinthepracticeofarmsbeforethecrudeweightoftheirnumberscoulddragmedown。Nay，Ididnotevendespairofwinningfreealtogether。Imustfindmeaweaponfromthosethatcameuptobattle，withwhichIcouldwriteworthysignatures，andImustattemptnostandingfights。Gods！butwhataglowtheprospectdidsendthroughmeasIstoodtherewaiting。
　　Avainerman，writinghistory，mighthavesaidthatalways，beforeeverythingelse，heheldinmindthegreaterinterestsbeforetheless。Butforme——Iprefertobehonest，andownmyselfhuman。Inmygleeatthatforthcomingfight——whichpromisedtobethegreatestandmostfuriousIhadknowninallalonglifeofbattling——IwillconfessthatAtlantisandherdifferingpolicieswerecleanforgot。Ishouldgooutanunknownmanfromthelittlecellofatemple，Ishoulddomywork，andthen，whetherItookfreedomwithme，orwhetherIcamedownatlastmyselfonapileofslain，thesepeoplewouldguesswithoutbeingtoldthename，thatherewasDeucalion。Gods！whatafightwewouldhavemade！
　　Butthedoordidnotopenwidetogivemespaceformyfirstrush。Itcreakedgratinglyoutwardsonitspivots，andaslimhandandawhitearmslippedinside，beckoningmetoquietude。Herewassomewoman。Thedoorcreakedwider，andshecameinside。
　　"Nais，"Isaid。
　　"Silence，ortheywillhearyou，andremember。Atpresentthosewhobroughtyouherearekilled，andunlessbychancesomeoneblundersintothisrobbedshrine，youwillnotbefound。"
　　"Then，ifthatisso，letmegooutandwalkamongstthesepeopleasoneofthemselves。"
　　Sheshookherhead。
　　"But，Nais，Iamnotknownhere。Iammerelyamaninveryplainandmud—stainedrobe。Ishouldbeinnowaysremarkable。"
　　Asmiletwitchedherface。"Mylord，"shesaid，"wearsnobeard;andhisistheonlycleanchininthecamp。"
　　Ijoinedinherlaugh。"Apestonmywantoffoppishnessthen。ButIamforgettingsomewhat。Itcomestomymindthatwestillhaveunfinishedthatsmalldiscussionofoursconcerningthelengthofmypoorlife。Haveyoudecidedtocutitofffromriskoffurthermischief，ordoyouproposetogivemefurtherspan？"
　　Sheturnedtomewithalookofsharpdistress。"Mylord，"
　　shesaid，"Iwouldhaveyouforgetthatsillytalkofmine。ThislasttwohoursIthoughtyouweredeadinrealtruth。"
　　"Andyouwerenotrelieved？"
　　"Ifeltthattheonlymanwasgoneoutoftheworld——Imean，mylord，theonlymanwhocansaveAtlantis。"
　　"Yourwordsgivemeaconfidence。ThenyouwouldhavemegobackandbecomehusbandtoPhorenice？"
　　"Ifthereisnootherway。"
　　"IwarnyouIshalldothat，ifshestillsodesiresit，andifitseemstomethatthatcoursewillbebest。Thisisnohourforprivatelikingsordislikings。"
　　"Iknowit，"shesaid，"Ifeelit。Ihavenoheartnow，saveonlyforAtlantis。Ihaveschooledmyselfoncemoretothat。"
　　"AndatpresentIaminthislonelittleboxofatemple。A
　　minuteago，beforeyoucame，Ihadpromisedmyselfaprettyenoughfighttosignalisemychangingofabode。"
　　"Theremustbenothingofthat。Iwillnothavethesepoorpeopleslaughteredunnecessarily。NordoIwishtoseemylordexposedtoahopelessrisk。Thispoorplace，suchasitis，hasbeengiventomeasanabode，and，ifmylordcanremaindecorouslytillnightfallinamaiden’schamber，hemayatleastbesureofquietude。Iamaperson，"sheaddedsimply，"thatinthiscamphassomerespect。Whendarknesscomes，Iwilltakemylorddowntotheseaandaboat，andsohemaycomewitheasetotheharbourandthewatergate。"
　　8。THEPREACHERFROMTHEMOUNTAINS
　　ItwaslongenoughsinceIhadfoundleisureforaparcelofsleep，andsoduringthelargerpartofthatdayIamfreetoconfessthatIslumberedsoundly，Naiswatchingme。Nightfell，andstillweremainedwithintheprivacyofthetemple。ItwasourplanthatIshouldstaytheretillthecampslept，andsoIshouldhavemorechanceofreachingtheseawithoutdisturbance。
　　Thenightcamedownwet，withadrizzleofrain，andthroughtheslitsinthetemplewallswecouldseethemanyfiresinthecampwellcaredfor，themenandwomeninskinsandragstoastingbeforethem，withsteamrisingastheheatfoughtwiththeirwetness。Folkseatedindiscomfortlikethisareproverbiallyalertandcruelinthetemper，andNaisfrownedasshelookedontheinclemencyoftheweather。
　　"Afinenight，"shesaid，"andIwouldhavesentmylordbacktothecitywithoutasoulherebeingthewiser;butinthischill，peoplesleepsourly。Wemustwaittillthehourdrugsthemsounder。"
　　Andsowewaited，sittingtheretogetheronthatpavementsolongunkissedbyworshippers，anditwaslittleenoughwesaidaloud。Buttherecanbegoodcompanionshipwithoutsentencesoftalk。
　　Butasthehoursdrewon，thenightbegantogrowlessquiet。
　　Fromthedistancesomeonebegantoblowonahornorashell，sendingforthaharshraucousnoteincessantly。Thesoundcamenearer，aswecouldtellfromitsgrowingloudness，andthevoicesofthosebythefiresmadethemselvesheard，railingattheblowerforhisdisturbance。Andpresentlyitbecamestationary，andstandingupwecouldseethroughtheslitsinthewallsthepeopleofthecamprousingupfromtheiruneasyrest，andclusteringtogetherroundonewhostoodandtalkedtothemfromthepedestalofawarengine。
　　Whathewasdeclaiminguponwecouldnothear，andourcuriosityonthematterwasnotkeen。Giventhatallwhodidnotsleepwenttowearythemselveswiththisfellow，asNaiswhispered，itwouldbesimpleformetomakeanexitintheoppositedirection。
　　Butherewewerereckoningwithouttheinevitablebusybody。
　　Adozenpairsoffeetsplashingthroughthewetcameuptothesideofthelittletemple，andcriedloudlythatNaisshouldjointheaudience。Shehadeloquenceoftongue，itappeared，andtheyfearedlestthisspeakerwhohadtakenhisstandonthewarengineshouldmakeschismsamongsttheirranksunlesssomeskilledpersonstoodupalsotorefutehisarguments。
　　Here，then，itseemedtomethatImustbeelbowedintomyskirmishbythemostunexpectedofchances，butNaiswasfirmlymindedthatthereshouldbenofight，ifcourageonherpartcouldturnit。"Comeoutwithme，"shewhispered，"andkeepdistantfromthelightofthefires。"
　　"Buthowexplainmybeinghere？"
　　"Thereisnoreasontoexplainanything，"shesaidbitterly。
　　"Theywilltakeyouformylover。Thereisnothingremarkableinthat:itisthemodehere。Butoh，whydidnottheGodsmakeyouwearabeard，andcurlit，evenasothermen？Thenyoucouldhavebeengoneandsafethesetwohours。"
　　"Asmoothchinpleasesmebetter。"
　　"Soitdoesme，"Iheardhermurmurassheleanedherweightonthestonewhichhunginthedoorway，andpusheditajar;"yourchin。"Theraggedmenoutside——therewerewomenwiththemalso——didnotwaittowatchmeveryclosely。Acoarsejestortwoflew（whichIcouldhavefoundgoodhearttohaverepaidwithasword—thrust）andtheysteppedoffintothedarkness，justturningfromtimetotimetomakesurewefollowed。Onallsidesotherswerepressinginthesamedirection——blackshadowsagainstthenight;therainspatnoisilyonthecampfiresaswepassedthem;
　　andfrombehinduscameupothers。Therewerenosleepersinthecampnow;allwerepressingontohearthispreacherwhostoodonthepedestalofthewarengine;andifwehadtriedtoswervefromthestraightcourse，weshouldhavebeenmarkedatonce。
　　Soweheldonthroughthedarkness，andpresentlycamewithinearshot。
　　Stillitwaslittleenoughofthepreacher’swordswecouldmakeoutatfirst。"Whoareyourchiefs？"camethequestionattheendofafervidharangue，andimmediatelyallfurtherrationaltalkwasdrownedinuproar。"Wehavenochiefs，"thepeopleshouted，"wearedonewithchiefs;weareallequalhere。Takeawayyoursillymagic。Youmaykilluswithmagicifyouchoose，butruleusyoushallnot。Norshalltheotherpriestsrule。NorPhorenice。
　　Noranybody。Wearedonewithrulers。"
　　Thepresshadbroughtuscloserandclosertothemanwhostoodonthewarengine。Wesawhimtobeold，withwhitehairthattumbledonhisshoulders，andalongwhitebeard，untrimmedanduncurled。Saveforawispofragabouttheloins，hisbodywasunclothed，andglistenedinthewet。
　　Butinhishandheheldthatwhichmarkedhiscaste。Withithepointedhissentences，andattimeshewhirleditaboutbathinghiswet，nakedbodyinahalooflight。Itwasawandwhosetipburnedwithanunconsumingfire，whichglowedandtwinkledandblazedlikesomestarsentdownbytheGodsfromtheirownplaceinthehighheaven。ItwastheSymbolofourLordtheSun，acredentialnoonecouldforge，andoneonwhichnocivilisedmanwouldcastadoubt。
　　Indeed，theraggedfranticcrewdidnotquestionforonemomentthathewasamemberoftheClanofPriests，theClanwhichfromtimeoutofnumberinghadgivenrulersfortheland，andevenintheirloudestclamourstheyfreelyacknowledgedhispowers。
　　"Youmaykilluswithyourmagic，ifyouchoose，"theyscreamedathim。Butstubbornlytheyrefusedtocomebacktotheiroldallegiance。"Wehavesufferedtoomanythingstheselateryears，"
　　theycried。"Wearedonewithrulersnowforalways。"
　　ButformyselfIsawtheoldmanwithadifferentemotion。
　　HerewasZaemonthatwasfathertoNais，ZaemonthathadseenmeyesterdayseatedonthedivanatPhorenice’selbow，andwhoto—daycoulddenouncemeasDeucalionifsohechose。Theserebelshadexpendedanavyintheirwishtokillmefourdaysearlier，andiftheyknewofmynearness，eventhoughNaisweremyadvocate，hercoldreasoningwouldhavehadlittlechanceofanaudiencenow。
　　TheHighGodswhokeepthetetherofourliveshideTheirsecretswell，butIdidnotthinkitimpioustobesurethatminewasverynearthecuttingthen。
　　Thebeautifulwomansawthistoo。Sheevenwentsofarastotwineherfingersinmineandpressthemasafarewell，andI
　　pressedhersinreturn，forIwassorryenoughnottoseehermore。
　　StillIcouldnothelplettingmythoughtstravelwithagrimgloatingoverthefinemoundofdeadIshouldbuildbeforetheseragged，unskilledrebelspulledmedown。Anditwasinevitablethisshouldbeso。Forofalltheemotionsthatcanfermentinthehumanheart，thejoyofstrifeiskeenest，andnonebutanoldfighter，facetofacewithwhatmustnecessarilybehisfinalbattle，cantellhowdeepthislustisembroideredintotheveryfoundationsofhisbeing。
　　ButforthetimeZaemondidnotseeme，beingtoomuchwrappedinhisoutcry，andsoIwasfreetolistentotheburningwordswhichhespreadaroundhim，andtodeterminetheireffectonthehearers。
　　Thethemehepreachedwasnonewone。Hetoldthateversincethebeginningofhistory，theGodshadsetapartoneClanofthepeopletoruleovertherestandbetheirPriests，anduntilthecomingofPhorenicethesehaddonetheirdutieswithexactitudeandjustice。Theyhadfoughtinvaders，carriedwaragainstthebeasts，andstudiedearth—movementssothattheywereabletoforetellearthquakesanderuptions，andcouldspreadwarningsthatthepeoplemightbeabletoescapetheirdevastations。Theyarenoself—seekers;theiraimwasalwaystofurthertheinterestofAtlantis，andsodohonourtothekingdomonwhichtheHighGodshadsettheirspecialfavour。UnderthePriestlyClan，Atlantishadreachedthepinnacleofhumanprosperityandhappiness。
　　"But，"criedtheoldman，wavingtheSymboltillhiswetbodyglistenedinahalooflight，"thepeoplegrewfatandcarelesswiththeireasylife。Theybegantohaveaconceitthattheirgoodfortunewasearnedbytheirownpunybrainsandthews，andwasnogiftfromtheGodsabove;andpresentlythecultoftheseGodsbecameneglected，andTheirtempleswerebarrenofgiftsandworshippers。Followedapunishment。TheGodsinTheirinscrutablewaydecreedthatawifeofoneofthePriests（thatwasagovernorofnoinconsiderableprovince）shouldseeawomanchildbythewayside，andtakeitforadoption。ThatchildtheGodsintheirinfinitewisdomfashionedintoascourgeforAtlantis，andyouwhohavefelttheweightofPhorenice’shand，knowwithwhatcompletenesstheHighGodscanfashiontheirinstruments。
　　"Yet，evenastheysetup，socantheythrowdown，andthosethatshalldebasePhoreniceareevennowappointed。Theoldruleistobere—established;butnottillyouwhohavesinnedaresufficientlychastenedtocrytoitforrelief。"HewavedthemysteriousglowingSymbolbeforehim。"See，"hecriedinhishigholdquaveringvoice，"youknowtheunspeakablePowerofwhichthatisthesign，andforwhichIamthemouthpiece。Itisforyoutomakedecisionnow。AretheGodstothrowdownthiswomanwhohasscornedThemandsocruellytroddenonyou？Orareyoutobestillfurtherpurgedofyourpridebeforeyouareripefordeliverance？"
　　Theoldpriestbrokeoffwithagesture，andhisraggedwhitebeardsankontohischest。Promptlyayoungman，skincladandcarryinghisweapon，elbowedupthroughthepressoflisteners，andjumpedontotheplatformbesidehim。"Hearme，brethren！"hebellowed，inhisstrongyoungvoice。"Wearedonewithtyrants。
　　Deathmaycome，andweallofusherehaveshownhowlittlewefearit。Butownrulersagainwewillnot，andthatisourfinalsay。
　　Mylord，"hesaid，turningtotheoldmanwithabraveface，"I
　　knowitisinyourpowertokillmebymagicifyouchoose，butI
　　havesaidmysay，andcanstandthecostifneedsbe。"
　　"Icankillyou，butIwillnot，"saidZaemon。"Youhavesaidyoursilliness。Nowgoyoutothegroundagain。"
　　"Wehavefreespeechhere。IwillnotgotillIchoose。"